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Designs Unveiled for New City Centre Projects

June 29, 2010

Surrey –As part of the Build Surrey program, Mayor Dianne Watts unveiled designs today for two of Surrey's new City Centre projects, in support of the City’s commitment to building a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown core.

The Mayor unveiled architectural renderings and a model of the new City Hall and new Community Plaza, which will serve as a celebration site capable of accommodating up to 5,000 people.The projects will act as a catalyst to stimulate further private sector investment and job creation.

"We are creating B.C.’s next great metropolitan centre and our new City Centre projects will attract economic investment and create a vibrant urban centre that serves the needs of all our residents," says Mayor Dianne Watts. "City Centre will be a hub of activity, particularly because of the new plaza which will be a great place to enjoy festivals and outdoor events."These projects are a significant component of the recently announced Build Surrey program, which will see a series of large-scale capital projects built across the city over the next six years to position Surrey for continued growth over the next decade and provide residents with world-class facilities.

Other Build Surrey projects for City Centre include the recently completed Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, a new 75,000 square foot regional library currently under construction, a covered youth park, a performing arts centre, a Simon Fraser University student residence building, as well as walking trails and beautification initiatives.

They will combine with the major new residential developments underway in City Centre to create new commercial, entertainment, education, civic, and recreation opportunities for residents and businesses in Surrey.

The plans for the new City Hall and Community Plaza were unveiled at a special event hosted by the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association,in partnership with the Surrey Board of Trade, White Rock and South Surrey Chamber of Commerce, Cloverdale Business Improvement Association, Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce, Indo-Canadian Business Association, Surrey City Development Corporation, and the City of Surrey.

"We’re excited by the City’s plans to create a new downtown focus, and we know it will go a long way to attracting the kind of private investment that’ll build on the City’s long-term vision for Surrey," added Bob Dominick, President of the Downtown Surrey BIA. "Today’s announcement reconfirms the commitment of Mayor and Council to City Centre and will translate into new levels of economic activity that will benefit all Surrey residents."

The new 180,000 square foot City Hall, designed by Kasian-Moriyama Architects, will be built on the south side of 104th Avenue, east of University Boulevard, and has a net cost of $50 million. Construction is expected to commence in early 2011 and be completed by the fall of 2013.